Come help me with my children and/or some building, and visit a beautiful place in Rhones-Alpes, France

Details

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  Description

  Hello!
  I (Amélie) have a small family with two children : Mahilo, a boy who was born in January 2011, and Aria, a girl who was born in September 2014.
  We live in Ardèche, a stunning place in France with beautiful rivers and mountains, and our small house is very close to civilization, (the village is near, and we have about 8 or 9 neighbours) yet surrounded with nature. We have a veeeery big garden, but it is 1 minute walk from the house. A river is about 20-25 minutes walk.
  We also have a young cat, a few chickens... and a wonderful cuddly dog! :)
  I (Amélie) speak English and German quite well, and I'm slowly (but surely) forgetting what I used to know in Spanish. I've tried to learn Japanese and have interest in ALL other languages.
  The children are very communicative and keen to learning things, teaching things, and getting to know people, with other cultures or not.
  We are going to do some works in the house, to make it bigger : there will be an extra room, because there only are two at the moment.
  I usually work almost every day, except during july and august, where it is quite unpredictable.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Language practice

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Babysitting and creative play

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  You will be able to learn about gardening, French of course, children, and maybe about building : we are going to take the roof away, make the walls higher, robably with wood, isolate them, put the roof back and probably "dig" an access in the floor... All this is supposed to last about 10 days, but maybe we are too optimistic! If you have lots of skills in these things, please tell us!
  
  I've sung in several bands or choirs (polyphonic chants in lots of different languages), I now sing and play the bass guitar in a rock band, we are going to make some concerts during summer. And the children LOVE live music, so if you like music and/or play an instrument, you are more than welcome!
  Our region is very beautiful, and we can show you some awesome places, with rivers, mountains, forests or hills.

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  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

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  Help

  I might need some help with the children as I work (only part time).
  We'll need a gentle and patient person to take care of Aria and Mahilo; curious, keen to spend some time outside with them, maybe making some arts, games or walks with them. I'd love them to hear and learn other languages, but I understand you might want to improve your French!
  They love to meet new people (so do I!), they are very sociable and very good French teachers. They are very curious and passionate.
  NB : taking care of Mahilo can be demanding and challenging because he has a ADHD, High Intellectel Potentiel and Oppositional disorder with defiance. It is not a question of bad habits or bad education, nor bad will : he sometimes just CAN'T do better, and in these moments, we need ALL our skills and competences to stay calm and firm at the same time. So it can be a real challenge. Of course, this is not all the time, and it is also absolutely possible to spend amazing times with him! But if you like children who just do what they are told to, our home may not be the right place for you...
  
  Because we only live here since december, there also are lots of things to do in the (messy) house, or around the house in the garden. The garden (we are trying to grow some vegetables) is to be cared of (watering during summer) and made bigger, for those who like it. I have worked too much since december and haven't been able to take care of it as much as I would like to.
  You probably will have to cook, if you like it, but not everyday. Mahilo and I like to cook as well. Aria prefers baking cakes! :)

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  German: Fluent
  English: Fluent
  French: Fluent
  Spanish: Intermediate

  This host offers a language exchange
  This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
  You can contact them directly for more information.
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  Accommodation

  Our house is quite small, there is a project of adding a room in july or august. So I prefer to tell you that it is not really possible to sleep in a room. You will be able to camp in the garden (it is very sunny during the summer, here!) and enjoy our house during the day! I would like to build a dry toilet in the garden, but I can't promise it will be done when you arrive.
  
  The food will be mainly organic and vegetarian (I'm vegetarian, Aria loves living animals (and nuggets......), and Mahilo loves meat and needs omega 3 for his brain, so fat fish, etc.).

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  What else ...

  It is difficult to describe the way one lives. Our children are very alive, they love to meet people and they'll be glad to learn another language, or even to teach French!!! We cannot travel at the moment, so we'll be very happy to welcome somebody with a different culture. World, come to us ! :)
  Before getting my children, I travelled in New Zealand, Togo and Bolivia as a volunteer, and I LOVED these experiences. I also travelled through Europe, and lived in Germany.
  
  We expect the person who comes to help us to have a sense of responsibilities and initiative, to be open-minded and respectful. I really expect him/her to be firm AND gentle with the children.
  
  The house "feels" remote, but there are some neighbours, and the village itself is 5 minutes drive from the house, and the next town, Vals, is about ten minutes by car.
  There are plenty of other rivers that are less known than the Ardèche, but also less polluted and as beautiful (or even more!).
  If you like sports like kayaking, swimming, climbing, or sun-bathing ;), you'll be happy here!
  
  During your time off, you'll be able to just share our day-to-day life with us, or to do things on your own, it'll be up to you, you just have to tell us so we know!
  
  We're looking forward to getting to know you!

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  One

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  Hours expected

  5 heures par jour max, 5 j/sem.

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